NATIONAL FRONT LEWISHAM POLICE ARREST BLACK YOUTH 19771970'sPolice arrest youth at the so called Battle of Lewisham, London 13 August1977. 500 members of the National Front marched from New Cross to Lewisham, various counter-demonstrations by approximately 4,000 people led to violent clashes between the two groups and between the anti-NF demonstrators and police. 5,000 police officers were present and 56 officers were injured in the riots, 11 of whom were hospitalised. 214 people were arrested for obstructing the police, threatening behaviour, assault, possession of an offensive weapon and throwing missiles. Later disturbances in Lewisham town centre saw the first use of police riot shields on the UK mainland.